Attached files

file filename
8-K - 8-K - Vulcan Materials COv400505_8k.htm

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

February 5, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Investor Contact: Mark Warren (205) 298-3220

Media Contact: David Donaldson (205) 298-3220

 

VULCAN ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER 2014 RESULTS

 

EPS from Continuing Operations Increases Sharply to $0.29, including $0.02 in Business Development and Restructuring Costs

 

Aggregates Profitability Improves on Strong Execution

 

Birmingham, Alabama – February 5, 2015 – Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE:VMC), the nation’s largest producer of construction aggregates, today announced results for the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2014.

 

Fourth Quarter Summary (compared with prior year’s fourth quarter)

·Total revenues increased $75 million, or 11 percent, to $755 million
·Gross profit increased $52 million, or 45 percent, to $170 million
·Aggregates freight-adjusted revenues increased $68 million, or 18 percent, to $455 million
oShipments increased 15 percent, or 5.5 million tons
§Same-store shipments increased 12 percent, or 4.3 million tons
oSegment gross profit increased $44 million, or 40 percent, to $156 million
oIncremental gross profit as a percent of freight-adjusted revenues was 65 percent
§Incremental gross profit margin was 79 percent, excluding acquisitions
oCash gross profit per ton was $5.18, an increase of 11 percent, or $0.50 per ton
oAverage sales price increased 2 percent, despite unfavorable mix impact
§Exclusive of unfavorable mix, pricing increased 4 percent
·Non-aggregates gross profit improved $8 million, or 138 percent, collectively
·Adjusted EBITDA was $172 million, an increase of $41 million, or 32 percent
·Earnings from continuing operations were $0.29 per diluted share (including $0.02 per diluted share in expenses related mostly to business development activities) as compared to $0.08 in the fourth quarter of 2013

 

Full Year Summary (compared with prior year)

·Total revenues increased $223 million, or 8 percent, to $2,994 million
·Gross profit increased $161 million, or 38 percent, to $588 million
·Aggregates freight-adjusted revenues increased $218 million, or 14 percent, to $1,794 million
oShipments increased 11 percent, or 16.5 million tons
§Same-store shipments increased 10 percent, or 15.0 million tons
oSegment gross profit increased $131 million, or 32 percent, to $544 million
oIncremental gross profit as a percent of freight-adjusted revenues was 60 percent
§Incremental gross profit margin was 66 percent, excluding acquisitions
oCash gross profit per ton was $4.75, an increase of 9 percent, or $0.38 per ton

 

 
 

 

Page 5

February 5, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

oAverage sales price increased 2 percent, despite unfavorable mix impact
§Exclusive of unfavorable mix, pricing increased 3 percent
·Non-aggregates gross profit improved $30 million, or 220 percent, collectively
·Adjusted EBITDA increased $131 million, or 28 percent, to $600 million
·Earnings from continuing operations were $1.56 per diluted share (including $0.65 per diluted share related to gains on sale of assets, debt tender offer costs, expenses related to business development activities and restructuring charges) as compared to $0.16 per diluted share in the prior year.

 

Tom Hill, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Our teams across the organization executed very well in the fourth quarter, capitalizing on the growing recovery in construction activity and demand for our products. Their efforts succeeded in converting more than 65 percent of our incremental aggregates revenues into incremental gross profit, and in doing so, they further improved the underlying profitability of our core aggregates business. These results, continuing the pattern of strong execution on our aggregates-focused strategy throughout the year, were achieved despite price gains muted by a negative geographic and product mix.

 

This strong momentum bodes well for 2015, a year in which we expect a continued recovery in demand for our products and, importantly, an improving pricing and margin environment.”

 

Commentary on Quarterly and Full Year Segment Results

 

Aggregates Segment

The recovery in demand for our products and our strong local sales and operations execution continued in the fourth quarter. Aggregates sales were $594 million, up 20 percent from the prior year’s fourth quarter, supported by strong volume growth across most of the Company’s footprint. On a same-store basis, total aggregates shipments increased 12 percent from the prior year. Overall, fourth quarter aggregates shipments increased 15 percent compared to the prior year.

 

Shipment momentum continued to improve across most of our footprint, driven not only by large projects but also by strengthening construction activity across all end-use markets. On a same-store basis, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia each saw shipments increase by more than 14 percent over the prior year’s fourth quarter. Shipments in Georgia were relatively flat with the prior year due mostly to wet weather. In California, aggregates shipments for the quarter declined 9 percent due to unusually wet weather and delays on certain large projects.

 

Freight-adjusted average sales price for aggregates increased 2 percent, or $0.21 per ton, versus the prior year’s fourth quarter, with almost all of our markets realizing price improvement. Excluding the impact of strong volume growth in several lower priced markets such as Illinois and Arkansas, the average price for aggregates increased 4 percent. A number of key states saw fourth quarter price increases of approximately 5 percent or more. Average sales price in two states saw modest declines due to negative product mix impact.

 

Despite modest price growth in the quarter, gross profit per ton increased 21 percent from the prior year. While average freight-adjusted selling prices increased $0.21, our gross profit per ton increased $0.66, as our local leadership teams excelled at balancing price for service, sales and production mix, and operating efficiency and leverage.

 

 
 

 

Page 6

February 5, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

On a trailing twelve month basis, and excluding the impact of recent acquisitions, gross profit per ton has increased 20 percent from the prior year to $3.39. Over the same period, and on the same basis, incremental gross profit as a percent of incremental freight-adjusted revenues was 65 percent. For the year, segment gross profit rose by 32 percent, or $131 million, while same-store aggregates shipments increased 10 percent, or 15 million tons.

 

Compared to last year, fourth quarter cost of revenues for the Company benefitted approximately $7 million from lower diesel fuel costs, with most of this benefit realized in the Aggregates segment.

 

Asphalt, Concrete and Calcium Segments

In the fourth quarter, asphalt gross profit improved $2 million due to improved margins and earnings from recently completed acquisitions. Same-store asphalt volumes approximated those of the prior year but were short of expectations due to the delayed start of several large projects until 2015. For the full year, Asphalt segment gross profit increased $5 million from the prior year.

 

Concrete gross profit was $3 million compared to a loss of $5 million in the fourth quarter of the prior year. Last year’s fourth quarter results included the Company’s Florida concrete business that was sold in the first quarter of 2014. On a same-store basis, volume, pricing and unit profitability improved, driven primarily by increased private construction activity. As a result, same-store gross profit increased $3 million. For the full year, Concrete segment gross profit improved $27 million overall and $6 million on a same-store basis.

 

The Company’s cement business was also sold in the first quarter along with the Florida concrete assets. The Company retained its calcium products business that is now reported separately as a segment. In the fourth quarter, the Calcium business reported revenues of $2.5 million and gross profit of $1.1 million – both results are improvements versus the prior year’s fourth quarter.

 

Selling, Administrative and General

 

Fourth quarter selling, administrative and general (SAG) expenses were $8 million higher versus the prior year. This year-over-year increase resulted primarily from higher costs related to performance-based incentives and business development expenses. Absent these items, SAG expenses were in line with the prior year’s fourth quarter. The Company intends to further leverage SAG expenses to sales in the coming year.

 

Capital Allocation

 

During 2014, the Company generated approximately $1 billion in cash from the sale of assets and the results of operations. Included in this amount is the $721 million of cash associated with the sale of the Company’s Florida concrete and cement businesses in March.

 

The Company reduced long-term debt in 2014 by $517 million. At the end of the fourth quarter, the Company’s ratio of Total Debt to Trailing Twelve Month Adjusted EBITDA was 3.3. This ratio compares favorably to the 2013 year end ratio of 5.4.

 

In 2014, the Company invested a total of $332 million in strategic bolt-on acquisitions. Collectively, these acquisitions include 442 million tons of proven and probable reserves in strategic, high growth markets: San Francisco, California; Phoenix, Arizona; Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico; Dallas, Texas; and northern Virginia and Washington D.C. Additionally, the acquisitions in Phoenix include associated asphalt operations.

 

 
 

 

Page 7

February 5, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

The Company expects these recent acquisitions will contribute approximately $50 million to EBITDA in 2015, compared to the $9 million contribution in 2014. This earnings benefit will be realized in the Company’s Aggregates, Asphalt and Concrete segments.

 

In January of 2015, the Company completed transactions in which it exited the ready mix concrete business in California and added thirteen asphalt plant locations in Arizona that expand the Company’s service capabilities. The Company will continue to supply aggregates to its former ready mix concrete plants in California. These transactions, which continue the strategic redeployment of capital undertaken throughout 2014, should be immediately accretive to earnings.

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment during 2014 totaled $225 million, with approximately $15 million of the planned investments being successfully deferred into 2015. At the end of the fourth quarter, cash and cash equivalents were $141 million, and the Company had no outstanding borrowing on its revolving credit facility.

 

The Company returned $29 million in cash to shareholders in 2014 through its dividend. We expect to accelerate the return of capital through dividends, or other mechanisms, as earnings grow.

 

Outlook

 

Regarding the Company’s outlook for 2015, Mr. Hill stated, “Vulcan-served markets continue to show favorable above-average growth, with Vulcan markets growing faster than U.S. markets as a whole. Although aggregates demand remains well below normal levels, this steady and gradual improvement is a further indication of construction activity recovery. We continue to convert higher volumes into higher unit margins and are very well positioned for significant future earnings growth.”

 

Based on these market trends, the Company expects to generate Adjusted EBITDA of $775 to $825 million in 2015.

 

The following assumptions, which represent the mid-point of current management expectations, support the Company’s outlook for strong year-over-year growth in EBITDA. The Company intends to update these expectations on a quarterly basis, as necessary.

 

·Full year aggregates shipments of approximately 180 million tons, up 11 percent from the prior year. Same-store volumes are expected to increase 8 percent, or 13 million tons.
·Full year increase in average freight-adjusted aggregates pricing of 6 percent, with unit margins continuing to grow faster than pricing.
·Aggregates segment gross profit to be approximately $735 million, compared to $544 million in 2014.
·Non-aggregates gross profit to be $70 million, compared to $44 million in 2014.
·Selling, administrative and general (SAG) expenses of approximately $265 million, excluding business development-related expenses.
·Capital spending of approximately $250 million to support the increased level of shipments and further improve production costs and operating efficiencies.

 

 
 

 

Page 8

February 5, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

·Interest expense of $160 million.
·Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization expense of approximately $270 million.

 

Mr. Hill concluded, “We are excited about the volume growth, pricing momentum and strong margin expansion we see across our markets. As we continue to execute our sales and operating plans, we remain focused on further improving the profitability of our businesses, strategically expanding our asset base to serve the needs of our customers, and continuing our disciplined management of capital.”

 

Conference Call

Vulcan will host a conference call at 10:00 a.m. CT on February 5, 2015. A webcast will be available via the Company’s website at www.vulcanmaterials.com. Investors and other interested parties in the U.S. may also access the teleconference live by calling 855.877.0343 approximately 10 minutes before the scheduled start. International participants can dial 678.509.8772. The conference ID is 73121649. The conference call will be recorded and available for replay at the Company’s website approximately two hours after the call.

 

Vulcan Materials Company, a member of the S&P 500 Index, is the nation's largest producer of construction aggregates, and a major producer of other construction materials.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT DISCLAIMER

This document contains forward-looking statements.  Statements that are not historical fact, including statements about Vulcan's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Generally, these statements relate to future financial performance, results of operations, business plans or strategies, projected or anticipated revenues, expenses, earnings (including EBITDA and other measures), dividend policy, shipment volumes, pricing, levels of capital expenditures, intended cost reductions and cost savings, anticipated profit improvements and/or planned divestitures and asset sales. These forward-looking statements are sometimes identified by the use of terms and phrases such as "believe," "should," "would," "expect," "project," "estimate," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "will," "can," "may" or similar expressions elsewhere in this document.  These statements are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, including but not limited to general business conditions, competitive factors, pricing, energy costs, and other risks and uncertainties discussed in the reports Vulcan periodically files with the SEC.

 

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results, developments, and business decisions may vary significantly from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. The following risks related to Vulcan's business, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements: those associated with general economic and business conditions; the timing and amount of federal, state and local funding for infrastructure; changes in Vulcan’s effective tax rate that can adversely impact results; the increasing reliance on information technology infrastructure for Vulcan’s ticketing, procurement, financial statements and other processes could adversely affect operations in the event such infrastructure does not work as intended or experiences technical difficulties or is subjected to cyber attacks; the impact of the state of the global economy on Vulcan’s businesses and financial condition and access to capital markets; changes in the level of spending for private residential and private nonresidential construction; the highly competitive nature of the construction materials industry; the impact of future regulatory or legislative actions; the outcome of pending legal proceedings; pricing of Vulcan's products; weather and other natural phenomena; energy costs; costs of hydrocarbon-based raw materials; healthcare costs; the amount of long-term debt and interest expense incurred by Vulcan; changes in interest rates; the impact of Vulcan's below investment grade debt rating on Vulcan's cost of capital; volatility in pension plan asset values and liabilities which may require cash contributions to the pension plans; the impact of environmental clean-up costs and other liabilities relating to previously divested businesses; Vulcan's ability to secure and permit aggregates reserves in strategically located areas; Vulcan's ability to manage and successfully integrate acquisitions; the potential of goodwill or long-lived asset impairment; the potential impact of future legislation or regulations relating to climate change or greenhouse gas emissions or the definition of minerals; and other assumptions, risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the reports filed by Vulcan with the SEC. All forward-looking statements in this communication are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.  Vulcan disclaims and does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement in this document except as required by law.

 

 
 

 

Table A

 

Vulcan Materials Company

and Subsidiary Companies

 

(Amounts and shares in thousands, except per share data) 
   Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended 
Consolidated Statements of Earnings  December 31   December 31 
(Condensed and unaudited)  2014   2013   2014   2013 
Total revenues  $755,026   $680,246   $2,994,169   $2,770,709 
Cost of revenues   585,367    562,899    2,406,587    2,343,829 
Gross profit   169,659    117,347    587,582    426,880 
Selling, administrative and general expenses   72,481    64,016    272,288    259,427 
Gain on sale of property, plant & equipment                    
and businesses, net   5,695    2,381    244,222    39,250 
Restructuring charges   (558)   -    (1,308)   (1,509)
Other operating expense, net   (2,425)   (1,883)   (20,070)   (14,790)
Operating earnings   99,890    53,829    538,138    190,404 
Other nonoperating income (expense), net   (922)   2,570    3,107    7,538 
Interest expense, net   40,875    48,888    242,407    201,645 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations                    
before income taxes   58,093    7,511    298,838    (3,703)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes   19,745    (2,585)   91,692    (24,459)
Earnings from continuing operations   38,348    10,096    207,146    20,756 
Earnings (loss) on discontinued operations, net of taxes   (327)   (1,013)   (2,223)   3,626 
Net earnings  $38,021   $9,083   $204,923   $24,382 
Basic earnings (loss) per share                    
Continuing operations  $0.29   $0.08   $1.58   $0.16 
Discontinued operations  $0.00   ($0.01)  ($0.02)  $0.03 
Net earnings  $0.29   $0.07   $1.56   $0.19 
                     
Diluted earnings (loss) per share                    
Continuing operations  $0.29   $0.08   $1.56   $0.16 
Discontinued operations  $(0.01)  $(0.01)  $(0.02)  $0.03 
Net earnings  $0.28   $0.07   $1.54   $0.19 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding                    
Basic   132,069    130,383    131,461    130,272 
Assuming dilution   133,619    131,650    132,991    131,467 
Dividends declared per share  $0.06   $0.01   $0.22   $0.04 
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization  $70,638   $76,231   $279,497   $307,108 
Effective tax rate from continuing operations   34.0%   -34.4%   30.7%   660.5%

 

 
 

 

Table B

Vulcan Materials Company

and Subsidiary Companies

 

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data) 
Consolidated Balance Sheets  December 31   December 31 
(Condensed and unaudited)  2014   2013 
Assets          
Cash and cash equivalents  $141,273   $193,738 
Accounts and notes receivable          
Accounts and notes receivable, gross   378,947    344,475 
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts   (5,105)   (4,854)
Accounts and notes receivable, net   373,842    339,621 
Inventories          
Finished products   275,172    270,603 
Raw materials   19,741    29,996 
Products in process   1,250    6,613 
Operating supplies and other   25,641    37,394 
Inventories   321,804    344,606 
Current deferred income taxes   39,726    40,423 
Prepaid expenses   28,640    22,549 
Assets held for sale   15,184    10,559 
Total current assets   920,469    951,496 
Investments and long-term receivables   41,650    42,387 
Property, plant & equipment          
Property, plant & equipment, cost   6,608,842    6,933,602 
Reserve for depreciation, depletion & amortization   (3,537,212)   (3,621,585)
Property, plant & equipment, net   3,071,630    3,312,017 
Goodwill   3,094,824    3,081,521 
Other intangible assets, net   758,243    697,578 
Other noncurrent assets   175,086    174,144 
Total assets  $8,061,902   $8,259,143 
Liabilities          
Current maturities of long-term debt  $150,137   $170 
Trade payables and accruals   145,148    139,345 
Other current liabilities   156,073    159,620 
Liabilities of assets held for sale   520    - 
Total current liabilities   451,878    299,135 
Long-term debt   1,855,447    2,522,243 
Noncurrent deferred income taxes   691,137    701,075 
Deferred revenue   213,968    219,743 
Other noncurrent liabilities   672,773    578,841 
Total liabilities   3,885,203    4,321,037 
Equity          
Common stock, $1 par value   131,907    130,200 
Capital in excess of par value   2,734,661    2,611,703 
Retained earnings   1,471,845    1,295,834 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (161,714)   (99,631)
Total equity   4,176,699    3,938,106 
Total liabilities and equity  $8,061,902   $8,259,143 

 

 
 

 

Table C

 

Vulcan Materials Company

and Subsidiary Companies

 

(Amounts in thousands) 
   Twelve Months Ended 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows  December 31 
(Condensed and unaudited)  2014   2013 
Operating Activities          
Net earnings  $204,923   $24,382 
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities          
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization   279,497    307,108 
Net gain on sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses   (244,222)   (50,978)
Proceeds from sale of future production, net of transaction costs   -    153,095 
Contributions to pension plans   (5,488)   (4,855)
Share-based compensation   23,884    22,093 
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation   (3,464)   (161)
Deferred tax provision (benefit)   18,378    (35,063)
Cost of debt purchase   72,949    - 
Changes in assets and liabilities before initial          
effects of business acquisitions and dispositions   (93,320)   (60,405)
Other, net   7,199    1,283 
Net cash provided by operating activities   260,336    356,499 
Investing Activities          
Purchases of property, plant & equipment   (224,852)   (275,380)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant & equipment   26,028    17,576 
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of transaction costs   721,359    51,604 
Payment for businesses acquired, net of acquired cash   (284,237)   (89,951)
Other, net   33    (39)
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities   238,331    (296,190)
Financing Activities          
Proceeds from line of credit   93,000    156,000 
Payment of current maturities, long-term debt and line of credit   (672,829)   (306,602)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock   30,620    3,821 
Dividends paid   (28,884)   (5,191)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options   23,502    9,762 
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation   3,464    161 
Other, net   (5)   - 
Net cash used for financing activities   (551,132)   (142,049)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents   (52,465)   (81,740)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year   193,738    275,478 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year  $141,273   $193,738 

  

 
 

 

Table D

 

Segment Financial Data and Unit Shipments

 

(Amounts in thousands, except per unit data)
   Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended 
   December 31   December 31 
   2014   2013   2014   2013 
Total Revenues                    
Aggregates (a)  $593,828   $496,208   $2,346,411   $2,025,026 
Asphalt Mix   115,534    99,378    445,538    407,657 
Concrete (b)   87,014    121,813    375,806    471,748 
Calcium (c).   2,451    26,079    25,032    99,004 
Segment sales  $798,827   $743,478   $3,192,787   $3,003,435 
Aggregates intersegment sales   (43,801)   (50,804)   (189,393)   (185,385)
Calcium intersegment sales   -    (12,428)   (9,225)   (47,341)
Total revenues  $755,026   $680,246   $2,994,169   $2,770,709 
Gross Profit                    
Aggregates  $155,987   $111,606   $544,070   $413,301 
Asphalt Mix   9,788    7,944    38,080    32,704 
Concrete (b)   2,753    (4,996)   2,233    (24,774)
Calcium (c).   1,131    2,793    3,199    5,649 
Total  $169,659   $117,347   $587,582   $426,880 
Depreciation, Depletion, Accretion and Amortization                    
Aggregates  $57,862   $55,573   $227,042   $224,808 
Asphalt Mix   3,261    2,297    10,719    8,697 
Concrete (b)   4,214    8,457    19,892    32,996 
Calcium (c).   148    4,335    1,554    18,093 
Other   5,153    5,569    20,290    22,514 
Total  $70,638   $76,231   $279,497   $307,108 
Average Unit Sales Price and Unit Shipments                    
Aggregates                    
Freight-adjusted revenues (d)  $455,090   $386,664   $1,794,046   $1,575,990 
Aggregates - tons (e)   41,274    35,736    162,376    145,925 
Freight-adjusted sales price (f)  $11.03   $10.82   $11.05   $10.80 
Other Products                    
Asphalt Mix - tons   1,903    1,665    7,411    6,869 
Asphalt Mix - sales price  $54.96   $54.93   $54.39   $54.83 
                     
Ready-mixed concrete - cubic yards   847    1,240    3,732    4,798 
Ready-mixed concrete - sales price  $102.74   $93.12   $99.46   $93.10 
                     
Calcium - tons   92    80    335    327 
Calcium - sales price  $26.58   $26.17   $26.50   $25.44 

 

(a)Includes crushed stone, sand and gravel, sand, other aggregates, as well as freight, delivery and transportation revenues, and other revenues related to services, such as land fill tipping fees.
(b)Includes ready-mixed concrete, concrete block, precast concrete, as well as building materials purchased for resale.  On March 7, 2014, we sold our concrete business in the Florida area.  See Appendix 5 for adjusted segment data.
(c)Includes cement and calcium products.  On March 7, 2014, we sold our cement business.  See Appendix 5 for adjusted segment data.
(d)Freight-adjusted revenues are Aggregates segment sales excluding freight, delivery and transportation revenues, and other revenues related to services, such as land fill tipping fees.
(e)Includes tons marketed and sold on behalf of a third-party pursuant to volumetric production payment (VPP) agreements and tons shipped to our down-stream operations (i.e., asphalt mix and ready-mixed concrete).
(f)Freight-adjusted sales price is calculated as freight-adjusted revenues divided by aggregates unit shipments.

 

 
 

 

Appendix 1

 

1.Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

Supplemental information referable to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows is summarized below:  

 

(Amounts in thousands) 
   Twelve Months Ended 
   December 31 
   2014   2013 
         
Cash Payments          
Interest (exclusive of amount capitalized)  $241,841   $196,794 
Income taxes   79,862    30,938 
           
Noncash Investing and Financing Activities          
Accrued liabilities for purchases of property, plant & equipment   17,120    18,864 
Amounts referable to business acquisitions:          
Liabilities assumed   26,622    232 
Fair value of noncash assets and liabilities exchanged   2,414    - 
Fair value of equity consideration   45,185    - 

 

2.Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

 

Gross profit margin as a percentage of total revenues excluding freight and delivery revenues is not a Generally Accepted Accounting Principle (GAAP) measure. We present this metric as it is consistent with the basis by which we review our operating results. Likewise, we believe that this presentation is consistent with the basis by which investors analyze our operating results considering that freight and delivery services represent pass-through activities. Reconciliation of this metric to its nearest GAAP measure is presented below:

 

Gross Profit Margin in Accordance with GAAP

 

(Amounts in thousands) 
   Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended 
   December 31   December 31 
   2014   2013   2014   2013 
                 
Gross profit  $169,659   $117,347   $587,582   $426,880 
Total revenues  $755,026   $680,246   $2,994,169   $2,770,709 
Gross profit margin   22.5%   17.3%   19.6%   15.4%

 

Gross Profit Margin Excluding Freight and Delivery Revenues          

 

(Amounts in thousands) 
   Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended 
   December 31   December 31 
   2014   2013   2014   2013 
                 
Gross profit  $169,659   $117,347   $587,582   $426,880 
Total revenues  $755,026   $680,246   $2,994,169   $2,770,709 
Freight and delivery revenues   121,996    92,457    473,079    386,220 
Total revenues excluding freight and delivery revenues  $633,030   $587,789   $2,521,090   $2,384,489 
Gross profit margin excluding freight and delivery revenues   26.8%   20.0%   23.3%   17.9%

 

 
 

 

Appendix 2

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures (Continued)

 

Aggregates segment gross profit margin as a percentage of freight-adjusted revenues is not a GAAP measure.  We present this metric as it is consistent with the basis by which we review our operating results.  We believe that this presentation is more meaningful to our investors as it excludes freight, delivery and transportation revenues which are pass-through activities.  It also excludes immaterial other revenues related to services, such as landfill tipping fees, that are ancillary to our aggregates business.  Incremental gross profit as a percentage of freight-adjusted revenues represents the year-over-year change in gross profit divided by the year-over-year change in freight-adjusted revenues. Reconciliation of these metrics to their nearest GAAP measures are presented below:

 

Aggregates Segment Gross Profit Margin in Accordance with GAAP

 

(Amounts in thousands) 
   Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended 
   December 31   December 31 
   2014   2013   2014   2013 
Aggregates segment                    
Gross profit  $155,987   $111,606   $544,070   $413,301 
Segment sales  $593,828   $496,208   $2,346,411   $2,025,026 
Gross profit margin as a percentage of segment sales   26.3%   22.5%   23.2%   20.4%

   

Aggregates Segment Gross Profit as a Percentage of Freight-Adjusted Revenues

 

(Amounts in thousands) 
   Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended 
   December 31   December 31 
   2014   2013   2014   2013 
Aggregates segment                    
Gross profit  $155,987   $111,606   $544,070   $413,301 
Segment sales  $593,828   $496,208   $2,346,411   $2,025,026 
Excluding:                    
Freight, delivery and transportation revenues (a)   133,714    104,661    532,134    424,868 
Other revenues   5,024    4,883    20,231    24,168 
Freight-adjusted revenues  $455,090   $386,664   $1,794,046   $1,575,990 
Gross profit as a percentage of                    
freight-adjusted revenues   34.3%   28.9%   30.3%   26.2%
Incremental gross profit as a percentage of                    
freight-adjusted revenues   64.9%        60.0%     

 

(a)At the segment level, freight, delivery and transportation revenues include intersegment freight & delivery revenues,   which are eliminated at the consolidated level.

 

 
 

 

Appendix 3

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures (Continued)

 

GAAP does not define "free cash flow," "Aggregates segment cash gross profit" and "Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization" (EBITDA).  Thus, free cash flow should not be considered as an alternative to net cash provided by operating activities or any other liquidity measure defined by GAAP.  Likewise, Aggregates segment cash gross profit and EBITDA should not be considered as alternatives to earnings measures defined by GAAP.  We present these metrics for the convenience of investment professionals who use such metrics in their analyses and for shareholders who need to understand the metrics we use to assess performance and to monitor our cash and liquidity positions.  The investment community often uses these metrics as indicators of a company's ability to incur and service debt and to assess the operating performance of a company's businesses.  We use free cash flow, Aggregates segment cash gross profit, EBITDA and other such measures to assess liquidity and the operating performance of our various business units and the consolidated company.  Additionally, we adjust EBITDA for certain items to provide a more consistent comparison of performance from period to period.  We do not use these metrics as a measure to allocate resources.  Reconciliations of these metrics to their nearest GAAP measures are presented below:

 

Free Cash Flow

 

Free cash flow deducts purchases of property, plant & equipment from net cash provided by operating activities.

 

(Amounts in thousands) 
   Twelve Months Ended 
   December 31 
   2014   2013 
Net cash provided by operating activities  $260,336   $356,499 
Purchases of property, plant & equipment   (224,852)   (275,380)
Free cash flow  $35,484   $81,119 

 

Aggregates Segment Cash Gross Profit

 

Aggregates segment cash gross profit adds back noncash charges for depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization (DDA&A) to Aggregates segment gross profit.

 

(Amounts in thousands)
   Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended 
   December 31   December 31 
   2014   2013   2014   2013 
Aggregates segment                    
Gross profit  $155,987   $111,606   $544,070   $413,301 
DDA&A   57,862    55,573    227,042    224,808 
Aggregates segment cash gross profit  $213,849   $167,179   $771,112   $638,109 

 

 
 

 

Appendix 4

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures (Continued)

                           

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

 

EBITDA is an acronym for Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization and excludes discontinued operations.  We adjust EBITDA for certain items to provide a more consistent comparison of performance from period to period.

 

(Amounts in thousands) 
   Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended 
   December 31   December 31 
   2014   2013   2014   2013 
                 
Reconciliation of Net Earnings to EBITDA                    
                     
Net earnings  $38,021   $9,083   $204,923   $24,382 
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes   19,745    (2,585)   91,692    (24,459)
Interest expense, net   40,875    48,888    242,407    201,645 
(Earnings) loss on discontinued operations, net of taxes   327    1,013    2,223    (3,626)
EBIT   98,968    56,399    541,245    197,942 
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization   70,638    76,231    279,497    307,108 
EBITDA  $169,606   $132,630   $820,742   $505,050 
                     
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBIT                    
                     
EBITDA  $169,606   $132,630   $820,742   $505,050 
Gain on sale of real estate and businesses   (2,606)   (1,377)   (238,528)   (36,759)
Charges associated with acquisitions and divestitures   5,562    458    21,135    458 
Amortization of deferred revenue   (1,237)   (1,120)   (4,962)   (1,996)
Restructuring charges   558    -    1,308    1,509 
Adjusted EBITDA  $171,883   $130,591   $599,695   $468,262 
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization   (70,638)   (76,231)   (279,497)   (307,108)
Amortization of deferred revenue   1,237    1,120    4,962    1,996 
Adjusted EBIT  $102,482   $55,480   $325,160   $163,150 

 

 
 

 

Appendix 5

 

Adjusted Concrete and Calcium Segment Financial Data

 

Comparative financial data after adjusting for the March 7, 2014 sale of our concrete and cement businesses in the Florida area is presented below:

 

(Amounts in thousands) 
   Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended 
   December 31   December 31 
   2014   2013   2014   2013 
Concrete Segment                    
Segment sales                    
As reported  $87,014   $121,813   $375,806   $471,748 
Adjusted  $87,014   $75,772   $343,083   $303,089 
                     
Total revenues                    
As reported  $87,014   $121,813   $375,806   $471,748 
Adjusted  $87,014   $75,772   $343,083   $303,089 
                     
Gross profit                    
As reported  $2,753   $(4,996)  $2,233   $(24,774)
Adjusted  $2,753   $144   $5,924   $(296)
                     
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization               
As reported  $4,214   $8,457   $19,892   $32,996 
Adjusted  $4,214   $4,638   $18,541   $17,667 
                     
Calcium Segment                    
Segment sales                    
As reported  $2,451   $26,079   $25,032   $99,004 
Adjusted  $2,451   $2,385   $9,036   $9,571 
                     
Total revenues                    
As reported  $2,451   $13,651   $15,807   $51,663 
Adjusted  $2,451   $2,371   $9,064   $9,535 
                     
Gross profit                    
As reported  $1,131   $2,793   $3,199   $5,649 
Adjusted  $1,131   $810   $3,493   $2,970 
                     
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization               
As reported  $148   $4,335   $1,554   $18,093 
Adjusted  $148   $53   $593   $395